Memories

Sir,

Recuperating from an illness I have passed many pleasant hours looking through Motor Sport of some years ago and as I learnt to drive on a Panhard in about 1912 and was apprenticed in a large country garage before the first war V-E-V recalls many memories. A 14-h.p. Argyll with three gear levers, a 40-h.p. Daimler with exposed timing wheels and chain drive, converted to a “Royal Mail” van in 1914, Wolseley-Siddeley with anti clockwise engine, a Weigel I rescued front a ditch, etc. An uncle had a model-N Ford with round tank behind the seat. Another uncle was Jack Mills a TT rider, with a motorcycle business in North Finchley, who I helped mark out trail routes in the Chilterns for the North Middlesex MC. Someone may remember the words of a ditty then popular (1913-14) “I don’t want to ride an Indian Twin because etc”. It continued to mention many makes long forgotten, water-cooled Green, etc. Among the many bikes I had were: Tafnir, A.S.L., Wolferince and Fairy (the predecessor of the Douglas).

The various articles on Rolls-Royce armoured cars I found interesting especially as I was Tester at Cricklewood in the early 1920s. My cousin was an engineer officer who was sent to Southern Russia after the armistice to help the white Russians and found and used an abandoned “Ghost” which had been sent to Archangel in 1914 and been used by both sides in its wanderings across Russia. He tried without Success to bring it home.

Incidentally, Triumph’s had a lady demonstrator for their first 2-stroke model. I remember her riding up the steps into the office at Finchley late 1914 or early 1915.

My first car was a Bebe Peugeot t011owed by most sporting types from GN to Bugatti. One non sporting uncommon one was a Sequaville-Floyall. I believe only six were imported and Wonder if any survive.

Many thanks for an excellent publication.

Corfe Mullen LES DUCHESME